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10 Great Tips on How to Make Your BOTOX® Last Longer

As we age, we all develop frown lines, crow’s feet, and other wrinkles in areas with frequently used muscles like the forehead. BOTOX®, a neuromodulator, is a great way to slow down and help reverse these signs of aging.

Once you start receiving carefully targeted injections of BOTOX®, a skin-smoothing neurotoxin, you will typically need to maintain your results by having these injections repeated every four to six months. Some patients enjoy up to six months of wrinkle-free skin, while others only need to visit us every 12 months to maintain their results.

So, the BIG question is: What can you do to make BOTOX® last longer?

Well, the first thing you should do is to choose the best plastic surgeons in Baltimore, Maryland, and schedule your appointment. The award-winning board-certified plastic surgeons at The Maryland Institute of Plastic Surgery will carefully review your aesthetic goals and develop the perfect plan for you, with the help of BOTOX®, to reverse those visible signs of aging.

Once you have set up your appointment, keep reading our tips to help make your BOTOX® treatments last longer.

1. Protect Your Skin From UVA and UVB Rays

The UVA and UVB rays from the sun and sunbeds are probably the most damaging environmental pollutants to which we are exposed. UV light exposure causes inflammation at the cellular level, not only damaging the skin but also increasing blood circulation and causing blood vessels to dilate, shortening the lifespan of your BOTOX® treatment.

To maintain your results for longer, use a high-quality, broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen on your face, neck, and hands every day and avoid the outdoors during peak UV hours.

If you must go out into the sun, you can protect yourself by wearing a wide-brimmed hat. Not only will this protect your skin, but it will also help your BOTOX® last longer.

2. Workout in Moderation

Exercising frequently will not affect your BOTOX® effects, but exercising immediately after treatment can reduce your results. While you do not have to stop your workout routine to enjoy the age-reversing effects of BOTOX®, give yourself a day off to ensure that your injections have time to settle.

While maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key, it’s important to note that once you resume your workout routine if you exercise more aggressively, you may need to return for treatment sooner rather than those who exercise with more moderation. Activities that speed up the metabolic rate in your body can break down BOTOX® faster, and while you don’t need to skip your hard-core training altogether, it’s important that you find a happy medium.

3. Use Collagen-Boosting and Antioxidant Skin-Care Ingredients

To help relax the muscles beneath your skin, incorporate collagen-boosting ingredients into your skin-care regimen like retinol or peptides. In addition, because free radical damage can sabotage your skin and the BOTOX® you’ve received, be sure to use an antioxidant serum every day to keep your skin protected.

Topical antioxidants, which contain vitamin C, help protect the skin from damaging free radicals, most notably caused by UV rays and pollution. Together with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, these antioxidants give your skin more effective protection than a sunscreen with SPF alone.

4. Avoid Cheap OTC Skin Products

Many inexpensive over-the-counter (OTC) skin products contain ingredients that can harm your skin and even your overall health. Some of these common ingredients known to irritate skin or cause allergic reactions include:

  • Fragrances
  • Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), added to promote foaming and to make it easier to spread the product
  • Formaldehyde sometimes added as an antibacterial
  • Propylene glycol, intended to hydrate, moisturize, and condition the skin

5. Slather on the Moisturizer

The benefits of BOTOX® will last longer if you take care of your skin by moisturizing in the morning and at night. Adding these simple steps to your daily routine will help the areas treated with BOTOX® to remain plump and wrinkle-free.

Hydration is always important, but it’s also vital for maintaining your BOTOX® injection results. Hyaluronic acid, specifically, can reduce inflammation in your skin, decreasing how quickly your body breaks down proteins, allowing BOTOX® to last longer.

6. Eat Well and Stay Hydrated

While drinking water throughout the day won’t prevent wrinkles, studies show that increasing your water intake will not only improve overall skin health but even improve its elasticity. It’s crucial that you stay hydrated after BOTOX® treatments, as dehydration can lead to the speedier return of fine lines.

Maintaining a healthy diet is also an excellent guideline to follow to lengthen the time between BOTOX® treatments. Limiting processed and packaged foods, as well as sugars, will support the general overall health of your skin. Foods that include healthy fats support hydration and are a vital component of healthy skin.

Keep in mind that extreme weight loss, especially if it affects the face, can reduce the longevity and effectiveness of BOTOX® injections. If you are trying to lose weight, talk with our cosmetic surgeons to discuss your options.

7. Zinc Supplements

Some studies have shown that regularly taking a zinc supplement might help prolong the anti-aging effects of your BOTOX® treatment. Be sure to consult with a professional to find the right dosage for your unique situation.

8. Don’t Smoke

While you know that smoking affects your lungs, did you know it affects your skin, too? Nicotine narrows blood vessels, which means less moisture gets to the skin. In addition, smoke may cause you to squint your eyes, which leads to wrinkles over time.

Smoking also ages your skin, causing wrinkles and fine lines around the lips with smokers’ lines. If you are a smoker, this means you’re still doing something that causes some of your wrinkles, and it may accelerate the need for additional BOTOX® injections between treatments.

9. Watch Your Stress Levels

Stress can lead to breakouts and skin damage and can also melt your BOTOX® away quicker. It can show itself right across your face, leading to scowling and frowning, putting pressure on the same muscles you’re trying to relax with your BOTOX® injections.

It’s also vital that you get adequate amounts of sleep, as this is the easiest way to create uninterrupted time for necessary repairs to take place in your body. When you rest, so too does your skin.

As you prepare for your next BOTOX® appointment, be sure to continue following the post-treatment instructions from your last visit. The more you adhere to the recommendations, the more likely your procedure will be successful.

10. Look Into Cosmetic Surgery

Unfortunately, neuromodulators will not work forever. If BOTOX® or similar treatments have begun to lose their effectiveness, it may be time to consider more permanent treatment options. We offer a variety of facial plastic surgeries, including eyelid surgery, facelift surgery, forehead lift surgery, neck lift surgery, rhinoplasty surgery, and more. We stay current with the best techniques for each procedure, and with each operation, we strive to achieve the best and most natural-looking results.

Schedule Your Free BOTOX® Consultation in Baltimore or Columbia, Maryland

To get yourself into the routine of regular youth-promoting BOTOX® treatments, we invite you to contact our board-certified plastic surgeons to meet with us and learn more about your BOTOX® treatment options. Schedule your consultation at The Maryland Institute of Plastic Surgery by calling us at (410) 744-0900 or messaging us on our website. We look forward to meeting you soon!Baltimore, MD